Computers in Homes funding extended

The
Government has today announced it will continue funding for
Computers in Homes for the next financial year.

Education
Minister Hekia Parata says this is possible through moving
up to $1.6 million of funding from Vote Education to the
Department of Internal Affairs for the purposes of digital
literacy.

“Computers in Homes connects families and
communities with education and technology that’s why there
are three of us making this announcement today,’’ Ms
Parata says.

“These connections are powerful in boosting
the educational achievement of our children.’’

Ms Kaye
says Computers in Homes delivers major benefits to families
in low income communities and enables them to connect with
and participate in the digital world.

“The programme is
teaching skills and providing access to digital technologies
to enable more families to be able to participate fully in
education, training and employment,” Ms Kaye
says.

“Research shows that when parents acquire these
skills, they can better support their children’s learning.
This additional funding will benefit another 1500 families
and their wider communities.

“The Government recognises
the importance of digital literacy. That’s why we have
invested $1.35 billion in the Ultra-Fast Broadband
Initiative to ensure that by the end of 2019, 75 per cent of
the population will have access to ultra-fast
broadband,’’ Ms Kaye says.

“The Rural Broadband
Initiative will enable the remaining 25 per cent of New
Zealanders to get access to faster broadband.”

“I am
very pleased that with the support of my colleagues we are
now able to fund Computers in Homes to continue their
current level of service in the coming year,” Mrs Goodhew
says.

“I was honoured to attend a Computers in Homes
graduation in Auckland last week, where I saw first-hand the
high value our communities place on this programme. I
congratulate Laurence Millar and his team on all their
achievements and look forward to continuing to work with
them,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Computers in Homes, run by the
not-for-profit 2020 Communications Trust, began as a pilot
project in 2000. Since then it has delivered major benefits
to thousands of families in low income communities and
enabled them to connect with and participate in the digital
world.ends

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